Tim Horan explains how the Wallabies can ‘put some pressure’ on Springboks

Two-time Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horan believes the Wallabies can “put some pressure” on the Springboks next month as long as the coaching staff “get those combinations right” when they select the team.

Coach Joe Schmidt named seven debutants in the Wallabies’ first team of the year before the 25-16 win over Wales in Sydney but made minimal changes the following week for a second clash against the same foe in Melbourne.

But while Warren Gatland’s men turning their focus to a friendly against the Queensland Reds on Friday night, Australia are setting their sights on an intriguing clash with giant slayers Georgia at Allianz Stadium.

It’s a different story this time round from the Wallabies, with the coaching staff making 10 changes to the First XV and more than a handful on the bench as well. Winger Darby Lancaster and former All Black Alex Hodgman are both in line to debut.

While that clash with Georgia is the immediate focus, the world champion Springboks aren’t too far behind with the Wallabies set to host one of their traditional rugby rivals in just a few weeks. Well before those Tests, Tim Horan issued a clear message: “pick your best 15.”

“Well I think it’s to get those combinations right,” Horan said on Stan Sports’ Rugby Heaven.

“This block of three Test matches, he’s gone, ‘Okay, I’m going to tinker with the team.’ A few changes for this weekend against Georgia.

“But then when you get to Brisbane against the world champion Springboks, that’s when you’ve got to pick – those two Test matches, Brisbane and Perth, that’s when you’ve got to pick your best 15, your best 23 to potentially put some pressure on the world champs.”

The Wallabies have only retained two starting forwards from last weekend’s win over Cymru in Melbourne, with Rob Valetini named to start at blindside flanker along with reliable openside flanker Fraser McReight.

The all-new tight five includes Isaac Kailea, Billy Pollard, captain Allan Alaalatoa, Nick Frost and Angus Blyth. But the one other incoming forward has intentionally been left to last, with Horan warning No. 8 Harry Wilson that this might be “his last chance” in Wallaby gold.

“I love Harry Wilson, Super Rugby Pacific level, he’s unbelievable. We’ve seen that the last four or five years,” Horan explained.

“Now coming back, I reckon this is his last chance in a gold jersey to perform – to try and translate Super Rugby Pacific form to Test match (level).

“What happened in Super Rugby Pacific, you can make the odd mistake. You can throw an offload that goes to ground occasionally. Test matches you can’t do that.

“That’s what Harry’s got to be able to do this weekend is be really specific on making no mistakes at Test match level.”

The Wallabies may have tinkered with their lineup this week but as a squad, they will still take plenty of confidence out of the two Test wins over Wales. Australia now have the longest active winning run out of any tier-one nation dating back to last year’s Rugby World Cup.

But Georgia aren’t coming here just to make up the numbers. They’ll want to rain on the Wallabies’ parade with what would be a historic result in Sydney, just one week on from their win over Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms in Japan as well.

“Georgia will kick for touch a lot and they’ll back their maul attack. What they’ve seen from Wales last week, two tries to the skipper, that’s where they’re going to try and target the Wallabies.

“It’s hard when you play a side like Georgia where, especially their defence in the backline or in the lineout, is just disjointed… it’s actually quite difficult to attack a side like that.

“Afternoon footy in Sydney, if it’s fine, I reckon the Wallabies will start to open up.”